Photo by: Steve Woltmann Photo
Notebook: Big Ten Football Media Days
Jul 23 | Football
CHICAGO – Rutgers football took part in Big Ten Media Days in Chicago on Monday, making the rounds with a variety of interviews across different mediums. In addition to head coach Chris Ash, Blessuan Austin, Tariq Cole and Deonte Roberts represented the Scarlet Knights.
For Austin, it marked the cornerback's second trip to the event, as the senior is set to return to the lineup after suffering an injury in the fourth game last season. Now healthy, Austin, who has 25 games of starting experience, rejoins classmate Isaiah Wharton and his 36 career starts at the position.
"I am very excited about getting back out there," Austin said. "I've been playing with Isaiah for four years now and there are not too many corners around the nation that can say that. I'm excited about what we can possibly do this season."
Austin was named honorable mention All-Big Ten by the media in 2016 after ranking second in the Big Ten and 12th nationally with 1.4 passes defended per game. He owns three career interceptions.
"I have a lot of expectation for Bless," Ash said. "He has a lot of dreams and goals, and for him to achieve them, he's got to have a great year. He is someone who works hard, takes pride in his preparation and performance. I think he can provide a spark and make a difference for our team."
***
Moving to the middle, Roberts is a returning captain and is set for his third season as a starter. The linebacker has totaled 210 career tackles.
"I am really focused on helping the defense develop," Roberts said. "We have a real experienced group of guys in the secondary, up front and in the linebacker corp. I want to improve my leadership and keep driving forward."
"Deonte grew in a lot of ways last year," Ash said. "First, his physical development. He became bigger and stronger. Secondly, his mental understanding of defense grew as far as knowing what offenses are trying to do."
Similar to the cornerback situation, Roberts has a classmate in Trevor Morris who he has played alongside since joining the program. Morris was named honorable mention All-Big Ten in the media vote last year, leading the team with 118 tackles.
"We have gelled over the years coming in the same class," Roberts said. "We have built a strong bond on and off the field. We know our tendencies and feed off each other."
***
The Rutgers offensive line made strides last season and led the Big Ten with only 1.5 sacks allowed per game. Now heading into his third year solidifying the left tackle spot, Cole is ready to take on a leadership role. And part of that is building chemistry amongst the group.
"The chemistry among the offensive line is great," Cole said. "We are a close-knit group. Coach [AJ] Blazek took us on a campfire trip a few weeks ago and there was a fire pit. We are around each other a lot, but that's mostly in the Hale, so to get outside of that brings us closer together."
And Cole, who has earned honorable mention All-Big Ten the past two years, is eager to continue to improve.
"I've asked coach Blazek to critique me harder than anyone else and he talks about knee bend and hand placement as areas I can work on this camp," Cole said.
"Tariq has done a nice job the last two years at that position," Ash said. "We expect him to get better and make the left tackle spot a strength for us. He's has a great offseason and is in a great spot. I look forward to seeing what he does."
For Austin, it marked the cornerback's second trip to the event, as the senior is set to return to the lineup after suffering an injury in the fourth game last season. Now healthy, Austin, who has 25 games of starting experience, rejoins classmate Isaiah Wharton and his 36 career starts at the position.
"I am very excited about getting back out there," Austin said. "I've been playing with Isaiah for four years now and there are not too many corners around the nation that can say that. I'm excited about what we can possibly do this season."
Austin was named honorable mention All-Big Ten by the media in 2016 after ranking second in the Big Ten and 12th nationally with 1.4 passes defended per game. He owns three career interceptions.
"I have a lot of expectation for Bless," Ash said. "He has a lot of dreams and goals, and for him to achieve them, he's got to have a great year. He is someone who works hard, takes pride in his preparation and performance. I think he can provide a spark and make a difference for our team."
***
Moving to the middle, Roberts is a returning captain and is set for his third season as a starter. The linebacker has totaled 210 career tackles.
"I am really focused on helping the defense develop," Roberts said. "We have a real experienced group of guys in the secondary, up front and in the linebacker corp. I want to improve my leadership and keep driving forward."
"Deonte grew in a lot of ways last year," Ash said. "First, his physical development. He became bigger and stronger. Secondly, his mental understanding of defense grew as far as knowing what offenses are trying to do."
Similar to the cornerback situation, Roberts has a classmate in Trevor Morris who he has played alongside since joining the program. Morris was named honorable mention All-Big Ten in the media vote last year, leading the team with 118 tackles.
"We have gelled over the years coming in the same class," Roberts said. "We have built a strong bond on and off the field. We know our tendencies and feed off each other."
***
The Rutgers offensive line made strides last season and led the Big Ten with only 1.5 sacks allowed per game. Now heading into his third year solidifying the left tackle spot, Cole is ready to take on a leadership role. And part of that is building chemistry amongst the group.
"The chemistry among the offensive line is great," Cole said. "We are a close-knit group. Coach [AJ] Blazek took us on a campfire trip a few weeks ago and there was a fire pit. We are around each other a lot, but that's mostly in the Hale, so to get outside of that brings us closer together."
And Cole, who has earned honorable mention All-Big Ten the past two years, is eager to continue to improve.
"I've asked coach Blazek to critique me harder than anyone else and he talks about knee bend and hand placement as areas I can work on this camp," Cole said.
"Tariq has done a nice job the last two years at that position," Ash said. "We expect him to get better and make the left tackle spot a strength for us. He's has a great offseason and is in a great spot. I look forward to seeing what he does."
Players Mentioned
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